Christopher Collins

The meeting began with an invocation and the Pledge of Allegiance. Key discussions included the swearing-in of the new board member, Mr. William Collier. Board officer elections resulted in the selection of a new Chair, Vice Chair, and Secretary. The agenda was approved, and the minutes from the November 17, 2025, meeting were approved. Administrative updates were provided, thanking the administrative team and outgoing board members, Mr. Jory Howell and Mr. Keith Lee, for their service. Construction updates detailed two projects under design: the St. Mark Middle School roof and elementary expansion projects at St. Martin and Van Cleave. Finishing construction tasks included a punch list for the East Central roof and scheduled repairs for the gym floor at East Central. The finance section involved approval of the November monthly financial reports, prepaid claims docket, and open claims docket. Furthermore, the board discussed the presentation of several policies (F 15-26), specifically Policy 9F24 concerning administrative and curriculum support, which is slated to take effect in the 2026-2027 school year. Planning minutes covered the acceptance of maintenance and performance letters of credit for several developments, including Osprey Landing, The Sands at Gulf Hills, and Bayou Pines. Student and teacher attendance reports for November were reviewed, with East Central Lower Elementary achieving the highest overall student attendance (93.73%). The meeting concluded with a motion to enter a closed session for student and personnel matters.

This LEA Plan for Jackson County School District serves as a comprehensive roadmap to enhance student support, academic achievement, and educator effectiveness. It focuses on meticulously monitoring student progress, identifying and providing targeted assistance to at-risk students, and addressing educational disparities, particularly concerning teacher effectiveness. The plan outlines robust strategies for supporting homeless children and youth, fostering meaningful parent and family engagement, and implementing positive behavioral interventions to reduce exclusionary discipline practices. Furthermore, it details the strategic allocation of Title II, Part A funds for professional development and Title IV, Part A funds to expand STEAM/STEM activities and dual credit opportunities, all aimed at cultivating a supportive learning environment and improving overall student outcomes.

The document outlines the operational plan for Jackson County School District for Fiscal Year 2026 (School Year 2025-2026). It details budget allocations from various federal programs, such as Title I-A, to support initiatives focused on improving student achievement in ELA and Mathematics, with a benchmark of 3% growth. Key areas of focus include providing remedial instruction, supporting homeless students, assisting English Learners, and fostering family and community engagement through workshops and resources.

The meeting included discussions on various topics such as the invocation, pledge of allegiance, consent agenda items, and approval of the agenda. The board also discussed the business and financial needs of the district, a construction update, financial management items including the approval of the FY25 final amended budget, monthly financial reports, and prepaid and open claims dockets. Additionally, there was a presentation and discussion on the Jackson County School District accountability data for 2024-2025, covering student enrollment, reading and math proficiency, history and science proficiency, reading and math growth, ACT data, acceleration, college and career readiness, and graduation rate.

The document discusses the FY2025 Consolidated programs for Jackson Co School District, including allocations, cost pool management, ESEA shared program details, budget overviews, and school eligibility. It covers various funding sources such as Title I-A, Title I-D, EGC, EL, IG, and Title IV-A, detailing original allocations, reallocated amounts, and transfers. The document also addresses program eligibility, shared program requirements, and administrative activities related to grant programs.